Jubilee celebrates the rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of a local family, the Jubilee: Festival of Heritage is held annually in August on the grounds of the historic Mann-Simons Site. Jubilee features a variety of activities including hands-on demonstrations from some of the region’s most skilled artists and craftsmen, musical entertainment including African drumming, R&B, jazz, and gospel, and vendors with African-influenced and traditional merchandise. Highlights of the festival also include tours of the Mann-Simons Site, African-American heritage sites tours, and many other activities throughout the day.

Historic Columbia is looking for entertainers whose acts that reflect Jubilee and African American heritage: drum and dance groups, gospel, blues and spoken word acts, and for demonstration artists who can demonstrate and engage guests in arts and crafts like basket weaving, print making or indigo dying, to name just a few. Ready to sign up to be a part of Jubilee? Entertainers can download the application forms here, and demonstration artists should emailJubileeEducation78@gmail.com.

HC also invite associations, churches, civic/service groups, health/medical organizations, charities, food/beverage, and retail vendors to join us August 23 and make the festival a success. Download the application to get more information, and time is of the essence because space is limited.

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Doug Steimle was born and raised in New York City. After graduating from
Franklin Pierce College, he moved to Vermont and lived there for 30 years. While in Vermont, Doug spent 21 years as a journalist and lobbyist covering the Vermont Legislature and Vermont politics including the early career of an up-and-coming legislator named Howard Dean. "I knew Howard Dean before anyone else had ever heard of Howard Dean." Doug says.
In 2001, Doug and his wife Sharon moved to Columbia, SC to be closer to their daughter. Since being in Columbia, Doug has been fascinated by local and regional history. In addition to running his own small business, Doug is affiliated with the South Carolina State Museum and the Historic Columbia Foundation. He also enjoys an occasional round of golf.